Supermarket Loss Estimates for Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, Meat, Poultry, and Seafood and Their Use in the ERS Loss-Adjusted Food Availability Data

by Jean C. Buzby, Hodan Farah Wells, Bruce Axtman, and Jana Mickey

This study analyzed updated food loss estimates for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, and seafood obtained through a competitive grant with the Perishables Group, Inc. The new estimates were obtained for use in the ERS Loss-Adjusted Food Availability data. They had little impact on per capita food loss estimates because the new estimates are generally close to the current loss assumptions. The new estimates would increase annual per capita estimates at the retail level by 0.7 pounds (0.6 percent) for fresh fruit, 4.2 pounds (2.7 percent) for fresh vegetables, and 4.8 pounds (2.7 percent) for fresh meat, poultry, and seafood.

Keywords: Conversion factor, food loss, fruit, meat, poultry, seafood, supermarket, vegetables

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